‘There’s no salary’: DRC health workers tell of hardship as Ebola spreads

The Democratic Republic of Congo is confronting a severe Ebola outbreak in its eastern regions that health authorities warn could rank among the world's worst. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, a rare variant for which no approved vaccines or treatments exist. The virus spread undetected for weeks before official declaration on May 15, a delay attributed to weakened disease surveillance systems resulting from recent cuts to global health funding.

By late July, confirmed cases had surpassed 2,500 with over 1,000 deaths recorded, according to the World Health Organization. Uganda reported additional cases and deaths. The speed of transmission has been notably rapid—the 2018 outbreak in the DRC took more than ten months to reach 2,000 cases, whereas this outbreak achieved that threshold much faster. The epicenter is located in Ituri province near the Ugandan border, a region experiencing ongoing conflict and characterized by deep distrust of authorities.

Health workers form the frontline of response efforts but face multiple obstacles. Beyond infection risk and shortages of personal protective equipment, they encounter hostile community reactions from residents skeptical of the virus's existence. More than 100 health workers have contracted the disease, with approximately 35 fatalities. Additionally, many workers report receiving no salary, prompting strikes at major treatment facilities. In May, angry residents burned portions of a treatment center in Bunia and attacked fleeing health workers. The combination of these challenges—medical, security, and economic—significantly hampers outbreak containment efforts.